The Application of Discrete Choice Models in Transport

The discrete choice models are presented as a development and a renovation of the classical theory of choice. They have been based on the premise that the choice of economic agents is most often based on mutually exclusive alternatives or solutions, so that if the individual chooses one, he gives up the choices of the others. In this case, we speak of a discreet choice. Contrary to the microeconomic approach, discrete choice models consider that the environment that shapes the behavior of the choice of an individual is random and specific to each situation. It is influenced by a number of factors in relation to both the socioeconomic characteristics of the individual in question and the attribute being chosen and the circumstances that characterize the environment of choice. This process makes it possible to better disaggregate and personalize the behavior of economic agents and to perceive their preferences according to their motives and characteristics. The objective of this chapter is to highlight the application of these discrete choice models on the transport economy by specifying their contribution to the estimation of the transport demand and the evaluation of the severity of the accidents of the road, after having described the specificities of these models and their main characteristics and methods of application.